SOUTHAMPTON GAME THREAD

[mcdowell42]

Job done,sit back and hope for west ham ,cardiff win and a draw between the scum and city.

[clockender1]

That's a good result to beat Southampton. And a clean sheet.

[g88ner]

Bit of an odd game - we were excellent for 25 minutes and then the game sort of fizzled out after that. We were almost sitting back waiting for them to throw the kitchen sink and they never did. I think sluggish is probably the word I'd use to describe that performance, sort of expected after the interlull I guess and we were comfortable if uninspiring for the large part. Good result anyway, needed to take at least 10 points from 4 games (and beat Marseille) to give us a bit of leeway in the 5 games before Christmas.

To be honest, that sort of unspectacular winning performance (i.e. just doing enough and seeing the game out) has been a trend since March really. You'd like to think there's still a few more gears for us to shift through once Cazorla and Ozil click, but in the meantime it's just great that we're able to grind out results in a way we haven't been able to do in recent seasons.

I think you can definitely see a change in attitude even when we're not playing well. It's just nice to see, as watching Denilson, Chamakh, Eboue, Song, Santos, etc. on the pitch always made we question our desire. I don't have those doubts anymore, and that certainly makes me like these players more. I don't demand trophies (or a top 4 finish); I just demand 100% effort and focus.

[StuartL]

Good result in the end......would love to hear what the smug Sky Sports rentgobs have to say after predicting a 2-1 loss to Arsenal.

Possibly that Southampton were a little bit jaded after the International matches

3 points in the bag, not a great performance but a win is a win (so I am told)

Carzola, Ozil and Ramsey all below par but we got away with it today.

Thought Wanyama did a hell of a job for them, he was linked with us from Celtic before Southampton nabbed him, could certainly do a decent job for us.

Chez did his job well as did Per and Kos and Giroud won a great deal that was thrown at him.

Glad to have some decent options off the bench for a change (not Barry Bendtner)

We are top of the league (still !!!), say we are top of the league, shame the crowd couldn't stay till the end but obviously they were all delayed from getting their latte by 15 mins so you can understand all leaving before the end.

[Supagoon]

Bit of an odd game - we were excellent for 25 minutes and then the game sort of fizzled out after that. We were almost sitting back waiting for them to throw the kitchen sink and they never did. I think sluggish is probably the word I'd use to describe that performance, sort of expected after the interlull I guess and we were comfortable if uninspiring for the large part. Good result anyway, needed to take at least 10 points from 4 games (and beat Marseille) to give us a bit of leeway in the 5 games before Christmas.

To be honest, that sort of unspectacular winning performance (i.e. just doing enough and seeing the game out) has been a trend since March really. You'd like to think there's still a few more gears for us to shift through once Cazorla and Ozil click, but in the meantime it's just great that we're able to grind out results in a way we haven't been able to do in recent seasons.

I think you can definitely see a change in attitude even when we're not playing well. It's just nice to see, as watching Denilson, Chamakh, Eboue, Song, Santos, etc. on the pitch always made we question our desire. I don't have those doubts anymore, and that certainly makes me like these players more. I don't demand trophies (or a top 4 finish); I just demand 100% effort and focus.

We just look so much more organised and more disciplined, carzola was doing great cover work for the full backs which I always want to see. We let Southampton play in front of us and they produced nothing, except for when Arteta left the field and that was the only worry.

[Bradywasking]

Strange game in ways, win was deserved but despite being relatively untroubled at 1-0 in the second half always feared a sting in the tail. Thankfully it didn't happen. Thought Santi had a poor first half but slightly improved, Ozil was on the edge of the game and Arteta was poor. Ollie was as tirelwess as ever and deserves credit for again leading the line on his own. Theo looked well short of sharpness , Ramsey was industrious without being threatening and Jack was workmanlike but why does he need to take on so many players in tight situations. Felt our best attacking options came from the full backs. Monreal does a decent job when he comes on in those situations and Rosicky was more forward thinking than the rest of the midfield. Overall a decent if unspectacular performance, keeps it ticking over.

[dPmunky]

thought we played well enough for the result today but we never looked like we got out of first gear. The first 20 minutes i thought we looked a bit flat, sitting back accepting pressure and trying to spring back on them. I so desperately want us to open up attacking them, like we did against marseille(that first half) this sitting back the first 20 minutes is killing me to watch. It seemed like this is what we tried against united as well. All in all, I'll take the result but we need to step it up if we are going to stay atop the table.

[GranadaJoe]

WILSHERE YOU TOSSER TRY PASSING THE BALL INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BEAT 3 MEN FIRST!

Couldn't agree more.
He's so predictable and hasn't got the pace to get away from successive defenders.
He'll spend his middle age a cripple if he doesn't learn to move the ball on quicker and save the dribbling for the last third.

[markyp]

great result against a high flying team even if the performance wasn't exactly inspiring.i just wish we could bridge that massive gap between us and Citeh,UTD,Chavski,why is it we sweep aside with ease the also rans but always get beaten by the big 3,its so frustrating,wenker out!!!

[g88ner]

WILSHERE YOU TOSSER TRY PASSING THE BALL INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BEAT 3 MEN FIRST!

Couldn't agree more.
He's so predictable and hasn't got the pace to get away from successive defenders.
He'll spend his middle age a cripple if he doesn't learn to move the ball on quicker and save the dribbling for the last third.

Not sure about the tosser bit Bard (I like Jack ) but it is frustrating when he dribbles across players into trouble. It usually ends with him being fouled or losing the ball - either way, it breaks up our attack and he doesn't half love to stay down even when the opposition are on the attack!

He'll learn though, and I think his game is definitely improving as the season goes on.

[mcdowell42]

I didn't see MOTD last night ,wht did Hansen and shearer have to say about us

[mcdowell42]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LCQ7uymjpQ

[Bradywasking]

I didn't see MOTD last night ,wht did Hansen and shearer have to say about us

Shearer wasn't on it, Kevin Kilbane was..Hansen had to change the trousers such was his gushing excitement about the greatest Merseyside Derby ever. No mention about how often Liverpool's defence was cut open, no Hansen would rather drag up a three year old clip to criticise Arsenal for poor defending... They didn't say much about our game, had a go at their (Southampton) keeper and Hansen said we were not at our best.

[SteveO 35]

I enjoyed the game because Southampton turned up and made it clear from the first whistle that they were genuinely going for all 3 points and they played with pace and confidence that doesn't usually come from teams outside the top 4 or 5 when they come to our place

I think if we'd turned up with anything less than the right attitude we'd have lost this or drawn at best so it was pleasing we matched their work rate and in the end in the second half I think we started to over power them.

Some really good individual displays. In the second half I think a few of the players who were not quite at it in the first half upped their games (Arteta, Jack, Santi).

We are basically going to run Giroud into the ground though - with the type of game he plays for the team the Christmas period will see him absolutely fucked. Good job our progressive board and manager worked day and night to fix that issue and will no doubt do so again in January

[OneBardGooner]

WILSHERE YOU TOSSER TRY PASSING THE BALL INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BEAT 3 MEN FIRST!

Couldn't agree more.
He's so predictable and hasn't got the pace to get away from successive defenders.
He'll spend his middle age a cripple if he doesn't learn to move the ball on quicker and save the dribbling for the last third.

Not sure about the tosser bit Bard (I like Jack 8) ) but it is frustrating when he dribbles across players into trouble. It usually ends with him being fouled or losing the ball - either way, it breaks up our attack and he doesn't half love to stay down even when the opposition are on the attack!

He'll learn though, and I think his game is definitely improving as the season goes on.

Yes, yes, yes we ALL know you have HUGE Man Love for Jack Gooner but try to contain yourself man! yee Godsss!

I like JW too - unlike some on here I think he has the kind of innate skills that other professional players can only dream of, and I still think will be a huge name in the future...However, it is knowing that he has all those amazing skills and attributes but doesn't think quick enough or sharp enough sometimes when he is in a position to put another player through - that's when I get frustrated hence the 'tosser' - wellll you know how it is in the middle of a game when all you want is to see your team go in front.

Also have to say he showing amazing thinking and creative skill to chip that ball over Boruc - it deserved to go in - as did Rambo's scissor flick which also desrved to go in.....

Jack Wilshere!!! there's only one Jack Wilshere!